Congress Leaders Diagnose Party's Poll Debacle in Himachal

: Category: Latest; Published: 15 July 2024

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Rajni Patil Talking to reporters in Shimla — Congress Leader Rajni Patil in Shimla

Congress Team Analyzes Party Setback in Himachal Lok Sabha Elections

SHIMLA: Today, senior Congress leaders and Rajya Sabha MPs, Sh. PL Punia and Smt. Rajni Patil, held a crucial meeting with Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders at Rajiv Bhawan in Shimla.

The purpose of the meeting was to analyze and understand the reasons behind the party's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Following their courtesy call with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at his official residence, Oak Over, the Congress leaders focused on gathering feedback from local party members.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress faced a significant defeat, losing all four seats in Himachal Pradesh and one Rajya Sabha seat. Additionally, the BJP gained three seats in the last state assembly by-elections.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and other cabinet ministers.

During the discussions, the leaders analyzed the factors contributing to the electoral setbacks and strategized on how to regain the party’s foothold in the region.

Rajni Patil, addressing reporters, said, "We are here to interact with our party leaders, introspect on our defeat, and gather feedback from our members. Understanding where we went wrong is crucial for us to strategize better for future elections."

The Congress team also plans to visit Uttarakhand, where the party lost all five Lok Sabha seats to the BJP, to conduct a similar exercise of gathering feedback and understanding the local issues that led to the losses.

Patil said feedback and findings from these meetings will be compiled into a comprehensive report and submitted to the Congress High Command soon, detailing recommendations for the party's revival.

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Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

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Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

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